Jadson Andre Wins Billabong Pro Santa Catarina

Last year in Brazil it was Kelly Slater matching up against Brazil’s favorite son, Adriano de Souza, in the finals. Meager surf, cold weather, no bikinis on the beach, no major surf company backing, and a shitty webcast all equated to a majority of the surf world seriously questioning why Brazil remains a World Tour event.

This year though Billabong picked up the sponsorship, the ASP moved up the date, bikinis could be found, and there was actually fun looking surf throughout the contest.

“I’ve actually had a really fun trip, and I’ve been getting real fun surf, too,” semi-finalist Dane Reynolds stated to webcast interviewer GT as the finalists ran down to the beach to get in the Atlantic Ocean.

Kelly vs. Brazil again this year in the finals. Except this year a younger, more exciting surfer replaced Adriano as Kelly’s opponent—Jadson Andre, who is coincidentally Adriano’s travel partner. And of course Kelly did not win this year, though he did overtake the World Title Race ratings lead with his runner-up finish. The 37-year-old can still hang with the younger generation, having been the only person over 25 in the semis and beyond.

Brazil was still inconsistent throughout the Billabong Pro, and the survivors of inconsistency were in the final. But when waves did come through they presented high scoring, high-flying lines.

But there was a restart during the final. It showed the inconsistency of Brazil, like Adriano’s surfing, because the more consistent Jadson Andre took over the title of Brazil’s greatest hope today I believe. As Dane noted, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jadson fall on an air reverse.”

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. This is the best day of my life,” Jadson stated with a Skol in hand as he stood in front of thousands of his countrymen cheering his name.

Jadson is a flash of energy. Within the first five minutes of his semi-finals heat against Dane he had Dane comboed with a 7.17 and an 8.70. Air reverses are his game, as we’ve known. He probably landed over 100+ in his heats at the Billabong Pro Santa Catarina. But he also displayed a stylish carve on the longer lefts that Praia Da Vila offered from time to time.

Jadson’s first World Tour victory, and against the world’s greatest competitive surfer of all-time avenged Brazil’s loss last year to the 9-time World Champ. The youngest surfer on Tour versus the oldest. A rookie had not won an event since Bobby Martinez did in 2006.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. This is the best day of my life,” Jadson stated with a Skol in hand as he stood in front of thousands of his countrymen cheering his name. It is a national holiday in Brazil tonight because Brazil has a new great hope for a World Title one day.

And with the waves offering high-flying action, nice weather on tap, and a Brazilian trumping Kelly this year, Brazil and the ASP have proven us wrong in saying that Brazil should not be on Tour.—Ryan Brower

Jadson has these on lock-down. He had to land over 100 this entire event. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzTahiti's Michel Bourez just fell short to Jadson in their quarters match-up. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzCJ Hobgood rocketed himself into the quarterfinals today in a much needed solid result. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzAustralia's Owen Wright put up his best World Tour finish today with an equal third. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzSlater hung well with the new generation today, as he was the only semifinalist over the age of 25. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzEven the security can get a bit distracted with all the talent on the beach in Brazil. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzFellow Brazilian Neco Padaratz congratulating Jadson. Photo courtesy ASP/ScholtzDane's last ditch effort was enough to beat Jadson in their semis bout—that is until Jadson got a buzzer beater and sent Dane packing. Photo courtesy ASP/Scholtz